Luang Namtha

After a few days in Vientiane we flew north in Laos to the small town of Luang Namtha.  The town is in a small valley, surrounded by mountains and jungle. 

We spent a day trekking through the jungle with our two guides.  There were tons of spiders and ants and the jungle was extremely thick.  For lunch we stopped at a small hut and ate a traditional Laos meal - sticky rice, pumpkin, spicy eggplant and a few things I didn't recognize.  Lunch was eaten with the fingers!

 The trek included a number of river crossings on logs for bridges - we all managed to make it across the river without incident.

After the jungle trek we went to visit a school in the local village.  We arrived just as school was finishing.  The school is for primary students only - 5 to 10 years old.  The classrooms have mud floors, simple desks and chalkboards.  Many of the children are missing school right now as the rice is being harvested and everyone has to help get the work done. We tried to talk to the children but none of them spoke English and when we tried to take their photo they all ran and hid but when we put the camera away they surrounded us and stared at us inquisitively.

In the dirt play ground there were a number of pigs and chickens playing in the yard.  

The next day we did a bike ride around the town.  The weather was cool for South East Asia - about 25 degrees Celsius so the monks were prepared for the weather with their woollen hats!  Everyone in Luang Prabang carries an umbrella on their bicycle or scooter to provide shade from the sun.  This is easy to do as the average speed of the motorbikes is only about 30 km/hour.  Makes for a sleepy town! 

November is time harvest time - the fields are golden with the ripe rice.
 

As we rode through the village we saw strings of this all over the town.  It is buffalo skin - drying in the sun. It is dried and then cut into small squares and eaten as a snack throughout Laos.  I haven't tried it yet - but it smells like beef jerky and seems to be popular as it is for sale in all the markets.

Part of our bike ride included climbing to the peak of a small hill to enjoy the view. 

We ended our tour with a traditional Laos meal eaten on a small hut in a rice field.  Our guide, Tom, showed us how to roll the sticky rice into balls with our fingers and eat the pumpkin and omelet with our hands.  The food in Laos is simple and fresh.  
Tom also taught us about Buddhism as he spent a year as a Novice Monk learning about Buddhism, prayer and meditation. Most boys in Laos spend a few months to a year at the Monastery as Novice Monks.

While we were in Luang Namtha we ate many yummy meals at the Bamboo Lounge - Coles' favourite was the wood fired pizza!

 

Cole's question of the day # 17 and 18

   Today we have a rare double question. The first question is tagged with an arrow and they both have something in common with each other.                                                                    

 

Question no 1. What is the purpose of the object the red arrow is showing? (4pts for 1st, 3pts for 2nd, 2pts for 3rd and 1pt for 4th 5th ect.) The disk like pieces of wood are put there to keep rodents from reaching food, somewhat like squirrel proofing disks on bird feeders.

Question no 2. What is this hut used for? (4pts for 1st, 3pts for 2nd, 2pts for 3rd and 1pt for 4th 5th ect.)  This is a hut used for rice storage. We took this picture in a village we visited after a trek in Luang Namptha.                           

 

 

Cole's question of the day #16

Today's question is...  What does this photo show?(6pts 1st, 4pts 2nd, 2pts 3rd and 1pt for last)

The answer is a cluster bomb dropped by the Americans on Laos during the Vietnam War.


 

Vientiane - Laos

After a week relaxing on the beach in Thailand we were all set to go to Myanmar (Burma).  We easily got our visas, but when we tried to book flights and hotels EVERYTHING was already booked for the next 2 to 3 months!  The interest in Myanmar has exploded, but the tourist infrastructure is not there yet to support the growing numbers of tourists and business people flocking to the country.  So we decided to change our plans and head to Laos.  A small country located between Vietnam, Thailand, China and Cambodia.  Everyone we have met who has been to Laos has provided glowing reports of the country - quiet, friendly, easy to get around, beautiful scenery and temples. 

I have to agree - it is great.  After an easy flight/bus ride from Bangkok we arrived in Vientiane - the laid back capital of Laos.  The city is known for temples, boutique hotels, fine eateries and a slow pace.  We spent a few days here checking out the sights and enjoying the quiet pace (you barely have to check the traffic before you cross the road!).

This temple is just round the corner from our hotel.  It has been newly built and will house the ancient city pillar (from 1563)  that is considered the guardian spirit of the city. 










Even though it is a new building, it has incorporated many traditional elements of temple design.  The sight is not yet open - it will open after 99 monks from throughout the country come to pray continuously for 3 days to bless the sight.




















One day we did a biking tour around the city to visit a number of temples.

This is a typical stairway in a temple - guarded by the snake that shaded Buddha while he reached enlightenment.



















Several of the temples house hundreds of Buddha statues, each carved with unique facial features.






























































This is a sample of the intricate carving found on the large veranda that supports the roof of a temple.  

























The roof lines of the temples have lovely details.












In the centre of town there is an archway built in the 1960's.  It is built with US purchased cement that was to be used to expand the airport. From far away it looks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, but up close it is covered with Laos temple-style ornamentation.



































When we climbed to the top of the building we had a wonderful view of the city - trees, small buildings, and red roofs. It really is a small capital city.
















Vientiane is also known for the French bakeries - we all enjoyed the pastries! 
















While we were in Vientiane we visited COPE (Cooperative Orthotic & Prosthetic Enterprise).  This organization provides rehabilitation services and artificial limbs to people in need.  Up to 30% of the patients treated have been injured by small cluster bombs from the American/Vietnam war.   Laos is the most bombed country in South East Asia and still every year 100 - 500 people are killed by these old bombs that are still in the countryside.    

Beaches and Futsal in Thailand

After a few days in Bangkok we headed to Koh Samet - a lovely island just a 3 hour drive from Bangkok.  Chuck and I have been here twice before - 22 years ago when we backpacked through Asia and then again 17 years ago when we Dragonboat raced in Bangkok with our friends.  The island has grown up - lovely hotels and restaurants but the beach has stayed the same - soft white sand, tourquoise water and jungle coming right down to the beach.  We splurged and stayed at a fancy beachfront hotel.  We ate seafood on the beach at night, lazed and swam during the day.  It was great!









































After our week at the beach Cole and Chuck went to the FIFA World Cup Futsal Tournament in Bangkok.  They saw 2 matches - Paraguay vs Costa Rica and Thailand vs Ukraine.  They had a great time - cheering with the home town crowd - Thailand is very proud of their team!















Cole having a blast watching world cup Soccer!

 

Bangkok

After our 3 weeks in India we were all happy to return to Bangkok - it felt quiet, organised and clean compared to India! 

We spent a few days visiting the temples and doing some shopping.


Wat Pho is a Buddhist Temple near the Chao Phraya river. It is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and houses the largest Buddha in Thailand. 

The Reclining Buddha is 46m long and is finished in gold leaf.  































The feet are enormous and are decorated with mother of peal which depict many images of Buddha.  



We also travelled across the river by ferry boat to visit Wat Arun - named after the Hindu god of dawn. It is decorated with a mosaic of porcelain tiles, which were left behind by the Chinese merchant ships that used it as ballast.  At 82 m tall it provides a great view of the river and the old section of Bangkok.



































Within the temple complex there are numerous Buddha statues decorating the hallways and courtyards. 






























There is a large alter within the temple next to Wat Arun.  This is an active Buddhist temple - visitors are welcome to enter the temple (keep your feet pointed away from any Buddha image) and enjoy the tranquillity while monks and Buddhist followers make offerings and complete their prayers.
















While we were at Wat Arun we watched the military practice their swan boat procession - in preparation of the prince's visit to the temple later this month.  The procession was absolutely silent and everyone was extremely serious - the royal family in Thailand is highly regarded and respect is evident when it comes to anything Royal.   































The view from the top of Wat Arun shows the Royal Palace on the opposite shore as well as the ferries that constantly shuttle locals and tourists up and down the river.  One of my favourite things to do in Bangkok is to ride on  the Chao Phraya in a river taxi - no traffic jams, no smog and you get to enjoy a cool breeze as you watch all the activity along the river!




Near Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Royal Palace there is a significant military presence.  Even though they are usually holding AK47s the soldiers are extremely friendly.  This man was busy giving his daughter a foot massage while he guarded the temple!  When we took his picture he willing smiled for the camera and the daughter was full of giggles.

Cole's question of the day #15

Today's Question is...      What is this? (7pts 1st, 5pts 2nd, 3pts 3rd and 1pt late)

The construction is called a Spirit House, a small ornate Shrine to honor spirits (no, not the drink).

 Linda is still in the lead but Anna and Erin are close behind!